Wind instrument



C. L. DEWEY WIND INSTRUMENT Filed March 15, 1954 W@ @f @6J `March 10, 1936.

Patented Mar. 10, 1936 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 15,

Claims.

The present invention is directed primarily to the use of drawn seamless tapered tubing for use in the formation of the tube or pipe which constitutes the sound amplifying element of the in- (iy stmment, and in so tapering the tube as to provide for the progressive thinning of the tube walls in the direction oi increasing diameter, with the result that the tones of the instrument will be clarified and improved and the metal distributed y in a manner to best subserve the purpose intended.

The method of producing the tubes employed in Wind instruments embodying the features of the present invention is that set forth and described in the Barnhart Patent, No. 1,711,825, issued May 7, 1929. By the use of the machine therein set forth it is possible, in drawing seamless tubing, to impart thereto any desired ratio of the wall thickness to the taper, so that it is possible to produce tubes having a relatively great Wall thickness and a relatively small bore at one end with properly computed increase of diameter or bore and a corresponding decrease of wall thickness toward the opposite end.

By employing tubing of the above character in the construction of wind instruments, it is possible to utilize the principle of sound amplification commonly employed in the construction of bells in which the metal is of increased thickness at the head of the bell and of decreasing thickness to- 30 ward the iiaring rim of the bell, which distribution of metal is conducive to clarity and volume of tone.

I have discovered that by the use of drawn .tapered tubing of the character above mentioned, I am enabled to produce high class wind instruments at a minimum of cost and at the same time to improve the tonal qualities by a proper distribution of the metal in the manner made possible by the use of the Barnhart invention previously referred to. At the same time I have discovered that the drawing operation tends to densify the metal and otherwise beneficially improve its quality and texture, so that the Barnhart drawing operation is adapted to produce tubes which are peculiarly iitted to meet the requirements of high-class wind instruments.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a bugle in which the tubing is continuous from end to end without the interposition of valves or the like; and

Fig. 2 represents a trumpet showing the appli cation of the present invention to wind instruments employing valves for varying the tone.

Referring to Figure 1, the wind instrument 1934, Serial No. 715,586

(CI. Sli-388) comprises a tapered tube A which is continuous from end to end and which terminates in the usual flaring bell B, the throat of which is preferably brazed or otherwise integrally secured to the end of the tube and constitutes a continuation thereof. The tube A, as shown, may be formed with a continuous and uniform taper, or the taper may be variable in different sections of the tube, but in all cases the tube will progressively increase in external diameter from the forward or tip end C to the bell end, with a concurrent dimunition in wall thickness, which may either be uniform or variable in degree, so that the small or tip end C which receives the mouth piece D or other tone-producing element will be of minimum diameter and maximum wall thickness, with the result that the vibratory capacity of the tube will progressively increase from the tip end toward the bell end, both by reason of the increasing diameter and also by reason of the decrease in wall thickness throughout, which results in a progressively increasing resiliency in the structure of the instrument, so that the volume of tone will be progressively amplified toward the bell end of the instrument. The bell, as shown, likewise is formed to provide a progressive decrease in wall thickness from the throat of the bell to the rim, so that the bell constitutes in eiTect a continuation of the tube.

The instrument shown in Fig. 2 embodies the same principles of construction and differs from that described only in the provision of suitable valve mechanism E of conventional character which interrupts the continuity of the tube formation. broken tube as in Fig. l, the construction of Fig. 2 employs what may be termed a tip section F and a discharge section G, which latter merges into the bell B as in the instance rst described. In the case of Fig. 2, the progressive taper of the tubing and the decreasing Wall thickness are substantially continuous throughout the tube sections, so that the principle involved is similar to that first described, save for the interposition of the valve mechanism, which necessarily involves an interruption in the continuity of the tubing. By forming the tube in the manner described, it is possible to vary the ratio 0f wall thickness to taper either in conformity with a ratio which is uniform throughout or in conformity with varying ratios computed in such a way as to secure the desired tone qualities, so that the wall thickness and taper in every portion of the instrument can be computed in the desired ratio to one another, it being understood that although there is a gen- Instead of employing a continuous un- :n

eral decrease in Wall thickness concurrently with a general increase in diameter from end to end of the tube it is not essential in all cases that these factors remain uniform or constant, since variations in one or both of the factors in question may be introduced where it is deemed desirable in order t best attain the desired tone quality.

Although for purposes of illustration the drawn seamless tapered metal tubing of the present invention is employed as the sound amplifying element in trumpets, bugles, or similar instruments of the horn family, it is not the intention to limit the application of the principles involved to Wind instruments of this type, since constituents of other wind instruments, such as organ pipes, xylophones, etc., may be produced by the employment of similar tubing, which, in conjunction with the tone producing element, such as a reed or the like, Will constitute exemplications of the present invention.'

I claim:

l. In a wind instrument, the combination of ay tube of drawn metal tubing having a progressively increasing external diameter from the tip'end to the discharge end and having the Wall thickness of the tube progressively decreasing from the tip end to the discharge end, and a tone producing element connected with the tip end,

2. In a Wind instrument, thecombination of a tube of drawn seamless metal tubing having a progressively increasing external diameter from the tip end to the discharge end and having the wall thickness of the tube progressively decreasing from the tip end to the discharge end, and a tone producing element connected With the tip end.

3. In a horn-like instrument, the combination of a tube of drawn metal tubing of tapered formation and progressively increasing external diameter from the tip end to the discharge end and having the Wall thickness of the tube progressively decreasing from the tip end to the discharge end, and a flaring bell rigidly united to the discharge end of the tube.

4. In a horn-like instrument, the combination of a tube of drawn seamless metal tubing of tapered formation and progressively increasing external diameter from the tip end to the discharge end and having the wall thickness of the tube progressively decreasing from the tip end to the discharge end, and a flaring bell rigidly united to the discharge end of the tube.

5. In a horn-like instrument, the combination of a tube of drawn seamless metal tubing of tapered formation and progressively increasing external diameter from the tip end to the discharge end and having the wall thickness of the tube progressively decreasing from the tip end to the discharge. end, and a flaring bell rigidly united to the discharge end of the tube, the Wall thickf ness of the bell progressively decreasing from the throat of the bell to the rim thereof, and ai tone producing mouthpiece secured to the tip end of the tube.

CLARENCE L. DEWEY. 

